Banana Bread

Who doesn’t love a good banana bread? My Nana used to make banana bread for us everytime we would see her. It was always one of my favorites growing up and now my kids love it just as much! Once my sisters and I learned to cook we started making banana bread all the time. We even started calling it “Nana Bread”. Her recipe is one of my favorites and one I have played with over the years.

Return to the Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Affiliates Program. This post may contain affiliate links for which we may earn a profit if a purchase is made at no additional cost to you.

This banana bread is your classic banana bread – simple and delicious. There are many additions and substitutions that can be made as well depending on your personal preferences.

How to make Banana Bread:

To get started you’re going to combine the coconut oil and sugar. In the original recipe, my Nana used Crisco. I have also used vegetable oil, butter, etc. Pretty much any fat will work. I wouldn’t recommend doing a full swap for applesauce though because it won’t yield the same consistency. This recipe can be made using a bowl and spoon (follow the images) or a stand mixer (check out our video below). 

Next, add in the eggs and stir to combine.

Next, add the baking soda and HALF of the flour. Stir to combine.

Time to mash the bananas. The recipe calls for 3 but I find if the bananas are on the smaller side I like to use 4. Once my bananas are very ripe on the counter I stick them in the freezer. (There’s always a supply ready for baking!) I find that the banana bread gets a better flavor and consistency when I use frozen bananas. If I forget to pull them out ahead of time I flash them in the microwave really quickly (in the peel, you won’t be able to get the peel off while they are frozen). Another bonus with frozen bananas… not much mashing is necessary! For more information about storing bananas see How to Store Ripe Bananas. 

Once your bananas are mashed you are going to add HALF and stir to combine. My daughter wanted to join in the fun today so we made two!

Continue with the remaining flour and then the remaining bananas.

Once your done combining all of the ingredients pour batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 60-70 minutes or until done in the middle.

Flavor your bread

In this recipe we didn’t add any additions but the following are optional:

1 cup chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 1 cup peanut butter chips, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1/2- 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

My personal favorite is to add a half cup of chocolate chips and a half cup of chopped walnuts.

You can find another version of this banana bread in our post for Strawberry Dark Chocolate Banana Muffins!

If you enjoy this recipe be sure to check out Strawberry Dark Chocolate Banana Muffins, Peanut Butter Honey Muffins, Banana Scones, White Chocolate Macadamia Scones, Sour Cream Coffee Cake, French Toast Casserole, Dark Chocolate Walnut Biscotti, Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal, Bacon and Cheese Quiche and Very Berry Blueberry Muffins.

For a behind the scenes look at Return to the Kitchen, be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest! Also, if you make this recipe or any of our recipes be sure to tag us @returntothekitchen!

Continue to Content

Banana Bread

Yield: 1 loaf

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Classic banana bread!

Print

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (or fat of your choice)
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3-4 mashed bananas (depending on size)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine sugar and coconut oil.
3. Add in eggs. Stir until well combined.
4. Add 1 cup of flour, and baking soda. Stir to combine.
5. Add in half of the mashed bananas. Stir to combine.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5.
7. If adding chocolate chips, nuts, etc. add now.
8. Pour into a greased loaf pan. (Can also be made into 12 muffins).
9. Bake for 60-70 minutes (18-25 minutes for muffins) or until done in the middle.
10. Cool and enjoy!

Notes

Optional additions: 1/2-1 cup of the following: chocolate chips, chopped nuts, coconut, peanut butter, peanut butter chips

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  USA Pan Bakeware Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan
• 
  Cuisinart Power Advantage 5-Speed Hand Mixer, White
• 
  KitchenAid 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

Nutrition Information

Yield 12 Serving Size 1/12 of loaf
Amount Per Serving Calories 284Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 31mgSodium 118mgCarbohydrates 46gFiber 3gSugar 22gProtein 4g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Originally published October 22, 2018 and updated with new images and a video on March 6, 2020.